Pablo Fajardo Mendoza is the lead attorney representing 30,000 indigenous people from the Ecuadorean Amazon in a landmark $27 billion lawsuit against Chevron-Texaco.Â According to the plaintiffs, the oil giant dumped more than 18 billion gallons of toxic wastewater into the rainforest since it began operating in the region in 1964, resulting in one of the worst environmental and humanitarian disasters in history.

The plaintiffs also allege that the environmental pollution has created a "death zone" in an area the size of the Rhode Island, resulting in increased rates of cancer, leukemia, birth defects, and a multiplicity of other health ailments. Chevron vociferously fights the claims, charging that the case is a complete fabrication, perpetrated by "environmental con men" who are seeking to line their pockets with the company's billions. (From: CrudeTheMovie.com)

The legal battle - now entering its 15th year - is the subject of Joe Berlinger's new documentary CRUDE, which opens in NY on September 9 2009 (learn more about the film here and also watch an interview with filmmaker Joe Berlinger here).Â Â

We spoke to Pablo in March 2009 at the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide meeting in Oregon.Â In our conversation, Pablo talks about his own personal story - growing up in the region and then studying law to be able to defend his community in the legal case against Chevron. Â

In 2008, Pablo was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for his work.